LGBT tie-ins galore on TV this spring

Are you caught up on all your shows yet? If not, you better hurry, because there’s a full slate of robust stories being told on the small screen this season, and many with LGBT tie-ins.

“Hap & Lenoard: Mucho Mojo”
It’s season 2 of the Sundance Channel drama based on the novels by Joe R. Lansdale. Michael Kenneth Williams (“The Wire,” “When We Rise”) is Leonard, a gay Vietnam vet with anger issues and James Purefoy is Hap, an ex-con and working class laborer.
(Premiered March 15 on Sundance)

“Marvel’s Iron Fist”
Nerds rejoice! “Iron Fist” is the fourth in a series of shows that will lead up to “The Defenders” crossover series. Finn Jones (the ridiculously attractive actor best known for playing the gay character Loras Tyrell on “Game of Thrones”) stars in the title role, with help from Rosario Dawson, among others.
(Premieres March 17 on Netflix)

“Empire”
Time to pick things back up in the back half of season 3 of the hit primetime soap. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson are back, along with openly gay actor Jussie Smollett (who plays Howard’s character’s openly gay son). Guest stars will include Eva Longoria, Taye Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Nia Long, Rumer Willis and Demi Moore.
(Premieres March 22 on FOX)

“Grace & Frankie”
Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin return for a third season of the Netflix comedy co-starring Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen. The ladies will reportedly get into the sex toy business with a focus on menopausal women customers. Sign us up!
(Premieres March 24 on Netflix)

“RuPaul’s Drag Race”
Lady Gaga guest judges on the season 9 premiere of the unstoppable hit reality show, which makes the move from Logo to VH1. As always, the winner nabs $100,000 and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.” Will we see another Atlanta queen picked for the show?
(Premieres March 24 on VH1)

“Prison Break”
A lot has happened since this FOX prison drama was canceled in 2009 after a four-season run. Series star Wentworth Miller, to the delight of all gay men across the globe, came out of the closet. His character returns from the dead and is once again joined by Dominic Purcell as his brother.
(Premieres April 4 on FOX)

“Archer”
FXX’s animated spy sitcom has plenty of Atlanta ties, with it being animated at a studio here in Atlanta and several local actor-comedians in crucial supporting roles, including Dad’s Garage alum Lucky Yates as the openly gay agent Ray Gillette. This season is set in 1947 Los Angeles, so expect some pulpy fun.
(Premieres April 5 on FXX)

“The Get Down”
Time for the back half of season 1 of Baz Lurhmann’s period musical drama. Jaden Smith’s character shared an almost-kiss with another male character earlier this season, so we’ll see what Lurhmann has in store for him and the rest of the talented cast this time around.
(Premieres April 7 on Netflix)

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
The ratings have never been eye-popping for this FOX police sitcom that returns for the back half of season 4, but the accolades have, including a Golden Globe win for Best TV series – Musical or Comedy in 2014. And yes, the great Andre Braugher returns as openly gay precinct Capt. Raymond Holt.
(Premieres April 11 on FOX)

“Doctor Who”
Peter Capaldi will once again suit up as the good doctor, and joining him will be openly gay actor Matt Lucas (“Bridesmaids”) and actress Pearl Mackie. This will be Capaldi’s third and final time in the role, so catch him while you can!
(Premieres April 15 on BBC America)

“The Handmaid’s Tale”
This is the TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel of the same name. Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”) stars as Offred and lesbian actress Samira Wiley (“Orange is the New Black”) plays her lesbian BFF in a world where gay men are executed and lesbians are forced into sex work.
(Premieres April 26 on Hulu)

“Dear White People”
Justin Simien wrote and directed the 2014 satirical comedy drama film of the same name, and luckily the openly gay talent is back to bring his vision to the TV version. Storylines include the character of Lionel Higgins trying to balance being black and gay.
(Premieres April 28 on Netflix)

“Sense8”
May the gender-bending trippiness begin yet again. The Wachowski sisters return with this sci-fi drama about strangers with mysterious links to each other. Sense8 is a hotbed of LGBT characters and themes, so get ready for another season of can’t miss moments.
(Premieres May 5 on Netflix)

“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
It’s already season 3 of the critically acclaimed Netflix sitcom, and that sound you hear is NBC still kicking themselves for passing on it a few years ago. Ellie Kemper is back in the title role, and Georgia native (and openly gay) Tituss Burgess is along for the ride yet again as well.
(Premieres May 19 on Netflix)

“Orange is the New Black”
Attention inmates! There was heartbreak in season 4 of the Netflix comedy-drama as viewers said goodbye to a beloved character, so what could be in store this time around? No matter what, expect lots of same-sex love to be in the mix.
(Premieres June 9 on Netflix)

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